The U.S. Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016. This critical time gap allowed Nassar, a former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor, to continue abusing victims before his arrest.
Nassar is currently serving decades in prison for assaulting female athletes, including Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney. The Justice Department acknowledged its failure to intervene, as FBI agents in Indianapolis and Los Angeles had knowledge of allegations against Nassar but took no action.
When combined with other settlements, $1 billion has now been allocated to compensate hundreds of women who were assaulted by Nassar under the guise of medical treatment. Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million, while USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee settled for $380 million.
Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer expressed regret for the FBI’s failures, stating that Nassar’s victims deserved better. FBI Director Christopher Wray also apologized for the agency’s shortcomings, acknowledging that FBI personnel had opportunities to stop Nassar in 2015 but failed to do so.
Rachael Denhollander, one of the first victims to come forward, expressed gratitude for the accountability being shown by the Justice Department, but emphasized that such accountability is rare for survivors of sexual abuse.
